The Opposite Of You
Author: Rachel Higginson
Trope: Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers, Workplace Romance, Opposites Attract
Point of view: Single, First person
In a nutshell: I’ve sworn off men. All men. Famous last words, right? You’re expecting some epic tale of reluctant love and my dramatic change of heart? Well, you’re not going to get it.
I’m stubborn. And headstrong. And I’ve just survived the worst three years of my life. After escaping an abusive boyfriend to live in hostels and cheap hotels while I worked my way across Europe, I’ve come to two conclusions.
The first? Now that I’m back home, I’m going to squander my expensive culinary degree on a food truck that caters to the late night drunk crowd.
The second? I’m going to prove to the bastard across the plaza that my street food is better than his fussy five course monstrosities.
Killian Quinn might be Food and Wine’s Chef to Watch Out For. He might have a Michelin Star. He might have every food critic in the city wrapped around his too-large fingers. But he’s also pretentious and unbearably arrogant and the very opposite of me.
So he can keep his unsolicited advice and his late night visits and his cocky smiles. I want none of it. Or him.
I want the opposite.
Content warning: Domestic abuse in past (handled with sensitivity)
What I thought: The Opposite Of You tells the tale of two chefs whose rivalry, banter and pranks slowly evolve their relationship from enemies to friends to lovers. And cue that slow burn because, damn, Killian - he’s officially added to the book boyfriend list. The Opposite Of You is funny, witty, heartfelt and full of food descriptions that send me straight to the kitchen after reading. This is also the story of a woman working past trauma to find the confidence to be who she wants to be.
I think this book is fantastic, it’s a much loved reread of mine. You should read it too. I’m going to leave you with a quote from the book as I think this pretty much sums up the story and what you’re in for!
“Sorry. Sometimes I get so sucked into the drama here, I can’t remember what’s real and what’s foreplay between two insane chefs.” - Diana, who knows exactly where it’s at
